740.00119 European War 1939/1906a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in the Soviet Union (Hamilton)
1002. With reference to paragraph 2 of your 1470, September 26, 1 p.m., please present a communication along the following lines to Molotov. (Prior thereto you should consult with your British colleague, who we hope will be instructed by his Government to present a similar reply to the Soviet Government.):
While the United States Government agrees with the Soviet Government that there should be no important changes in the armistice terms which might materially affect the question of the unconditional surrender of Italy to the United Nations, it is felt that the Soviet Government will agree that, with Italy now at war with Germany occasions might arise which would require the Allied Commander in Chief, in order to assure full coordination of the military operations under his control, to recommend to the Combined Chiefs of Staff the extent to which he considers it advisable to apply the terms of the military armistice and the additional terms imposed. The terms were drawn up and imposed on the Italians for the purpose of insuring the fullest use of Italian resources in the prosecution of the war against Germany. The United States Government feels assured that the Soviet Government will concur that if, in the opinion of the Chiefs of [Page 389] Staff of the two Governments conducting active military operations in Italy, minor modifications in the application of the military terms were necessary in the best military interests of the joint military undertaking and ultimately therefore the best interests of all the United Nations, the Allied Commander in Chief with the concurrence of the Combined Chiefs of Staff should have authority to make them.